Electric ignition apparatus



F. BILLON.

ELECTRIC IGNITION APPARATUS.

I APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 1917. v 1,361,133. Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

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INVENTOR I3Y' .wvl

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES FREDEBIC BILLON, 0F SOLOTHUBN, SWITZERLAND.

ELECTRIC IGNITION APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

Application filed December 5, 1917. Serial No. 205,689.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that I. Fnnnnmo BILLoN, a

citizen of the Swiss Republic, residing .at Solothurn, Switzerland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Ignition Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new manner of constituting the magnetic circuit in electric ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines which will allow of producing per revolution of the apparatus any desired number of current impulses at any desired intervals of time without necessitating the employment of a rotary intermediate member of magnetically conducting material (hitherto required for this purpose) which has an unfavorable influence upon the resistance of the magnetic circuit and consequently upon the dimensions of the apparatus.

The constitution of the magnetic circuit of the apparatus for this purpose is such that for each pole of the stationary part, a determined number of pole pieces are employed which are staggered relatively to one another and to the pole pieces of the other pole in the direction of the rotation of the rotating part, and which are also shifted axially in relation to one another in such a manner that the pieces of the one pole are divided into two groups and arranged symmetrically at both sides of those of the other pole. The pole pieces of the rotating part are on the contrary arranged in such number and staggered relatively to one another at such angles as to produce the requisite number of current impulses at suitable intervals of time.

Some constructional forms of the subject matter of this invention are illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a cross section at right angles to the axis, and

Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the stationary and rotating parts of the magnetic circuit for an ignition apparatus which produces four current impulses per revolution.

Fig. 4 is a developed view of the stator and rotor; from this figure it will be seen that fo'urcurrent impulses follow each other at equalintervals of time during each entire revolution.

Fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement for'producing six current impulses for each revolution of the apparatus for the ignition of sixcylinder engines.

Fig. 6 illustrates an arrangement in which only one pole piece is formed on the middle limb, as well as on the two outer limbs.

Figs. 7 and 8 show two different positions of the rotor relatively to the stator.

The rotor (Figs. 1 and 3) consists of a permanent ma net comprising two pole pieces N and g which are spaced 90 to each other and to which there are op osed in all six pole pieces on the stator. hese are arranged in pairs diametrically opposite to each other in such a manner that one pair A B embraces the rotor in the middle, whilethe other two pairs C D and E F are located symmetrically at the two sides of the middle pair, and are both spaced throu h 90 relatively to the said middle pair. G H are counterweights for balancing the pole pieces N and Son the rotor.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 the stationary part of the magnetic circuit embraces the rotating part, as shown in Fig. 2, with a middle arm and with two arms located'symmetrically on the two sides of the middle arm. Each of the two side arms is provided with three pole pieces spaced 120 apart. The rotating portion comprises two pole pieces N and S located at 60 apart which are balanced by suitably arranged counterweights, otherwise the two pole pieces may be arranged at 180 apart, and

n this case no balancing bycounterweights 15 required.

By suitably selecting the number and position of the pole pieces on the stationary and rotating parts of the magnetic circuit, it is possible to produce any desired number of and any desired intervals of time between, the current impulses during each revolution. For example, only one maximum change of lines of force is produced in the yoke, andiggconsequently only one maximum current impulse is produced per revolution with the help of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. The stationary portion of the magnetic circuit has in this arrangement only one pole piece (B and C respectively) on its middle limb as well as on the two outer limbs, of which the two outer pole pieces C and D, or the middle pole piece B, almost completely embrace the periphery of the rotating portion, while the other pole piece engages in the gap which is thereby formed. The rotary portion has two pole pieces X and arranged at corresponding angles apart. with counterweights G. H as shown.

v making the angles embraced by the pole pieces unequal. aml shitting them relatively in the rotary direction. the result obtained that the current impulses produced during one revolution follow one another at unequal intervals of time in accordance with the cylinder angle in two-cylimler engines.

(onstructi'ons of this kind are shown in Figs. T and 3. These figures show two different positions of the rotating portion relatively to a stationary portion which comprises on the one hand pole pieces in the position and extent indicated at A and 1). and on the other hand pole pieces in the position and extent indicated at E and l. The pole pieces. for example A. and it belonging to one and the same pole. are in this case arranged apart at an angle of 1H1) plus or minus the half cylinder angle 1. Consequently the current impulses follow one another at corresponding unequal intcrvals of time. In the same manner as by the dimensioning and arrangement of the pole pieces on the stationary portion of the magnetic circuit. it is possible to intiuence the number and time-succession ot' the current impulses also by suitable dimensioning and arrangement of the pole pieces of the rotating portion of the apparatus. arrangement the rotating portion (Fig. -3) may be constituted by a permanent magnet which in rotating sends out lines of force in varying direction through the yoke (Fig. 2) which is constructed as the stationary portion and carries the induction coil. or the said yoke may consist of a permanentmagnet whose pole pieces embrace the to in this.

tating portion of the apparatus. which said rotating portion is constructed as an I- armature and carries the induction coil.

lVhat I claim is 1. In the magnetic circuit of an ignition a .)paratus for internal combustion engines. the combination of a stator comprising for each of its poles. a determined number of pole pieces comprising a central pole piece and a plurality of divided pole piece said pole pieces respectively being spaced axially relatively to one another. and to the pole pieces of the adjacent pole in the direction of the rotation of the rotor. so that the pole pieces ot'one pole are divided into two groups and located symmetrically at both sides of the central pole piece. and a rotor comprising pole pieces placed at determined angles relatively to one another. whereby a desired number of current impulses are produced with desired intervals of time between them during each revolution of the rotor. substantially as described.

2. In the magnetic circuit of an ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines. the combination of a stator comprising for each of its poles. two pole pieces located diametrally opposite each other and spaced 90 relatively to the pole pieces of the adja cent pole in the direction of the rotation of the rotor. so that the pole pieces of one pole are divided into two groups and located symmetrically at both sides of the pole pieces of the other pole. aml a rotor comprising two pole pieces spaced tltl relatively to each other, whereby t'our current impulses are produced with equal intervals of time between them during each revolution of the rotor.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FREDERIC BILLON. 

